Akmal Saidov speaks about torture in penal institutions

"New Uzbekistan: Development, Innovation and Enlightenment" week of international partnership initiatives continues in Tashkent. Akmal Saidov, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis, also made a speech in the weekly program on July 6.

During the event, the head of the National Center for Human Rights also answered the question of Kun.uz reporter about the fact that the cases of torture and death in investigative and penal institutions in Uzbekistan are not decreasing.

"I am aware of every information that comes out. We have already given a written report on what we are doing. In general, the problem of torture is a global problem. There is no country in the world that has not experienced torture in its penal institutions. It is found everywhere. Because last year I made the fifth report of Uzbekistan on torture at the UN.

Of course, even before 2015-16, I dealt with the issue of torture in Uzbekistan. You just remembered Buka and Andijan. And I will tell about the situation in Andijan last year or earlier in Kashkadarya.

The worst thing is that in the events in Andijan, 3 employees of internal affairs were only 24 years old. After graduating from the Academy of Internal Affairs, he has been working for the second year. The question arises as to why they did such a thing. This is a horror.

I totally agree with the question that you are asking. Whether the problem is with the internal affairs system or with individuals is a big problem here. But we are trying to reduce them as much as possible. For example, we adapted Article 235 of the Criminal Code to the first article of the Convention against Torture. At first it did not fully reflect. We did it together with international experts.

We strengthened the legal basis, that is, responsibility. Until 2016, we had no criminal liability for torture. We have included a special article in the Criminal Code, if the employee knows about it, he feels responsible.

We have also held leaders accountable for torture. Of course, if there was torture, it is a negative result of the shortcomings of your and our work. This should be avoided. What have we done? We have organized human rights training for 350 law enforcement officers in six regions.

We also have Ombudsmen and representatives of foreign embassies visiting prisons. They are interested in the condition of the prisoners. Also, a separate box has been created for prisoners to send appeals to the Ombudsman. No one can open it in prison, even the leader of the colony.

Of course, we are legislating. But one person who does not know the anti-torture standards can shame Uzbekistan to the world. Yes, it was possible to stop these things before, but now social networks have developed, and the whole world knows about it quickly through the Internet," Akmal Saidov said.